DAP Johor deputy chairman Senator Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali has said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should resign instead of DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
Sheikh Umar said Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, had allegedly embarrassed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the recent Umno General Assembly.
He also accused Zahid of questioning several government policies, including the BUDI Madani RON95 (BUDI95) initiative, despite being part of the Cabinet responsible for making decisions on such policies.
“Actually, many did not agree during the CEC meeting. But after discussions, we reached a consensus and made the decision collectively.
“For me, Zahid Hamidi should be the one to resign. He embarrassed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Umno General Assembly, even though he himself is the Prime Minister’s deputy,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Loke announced on Saturday that he would offer to resign as Transport Minister as DAP’s response to the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The decision followed an emergency meeting of DAP’s Central Executive Committee.
However, Sheikh Umar said Zahid’s position in the Cabinet made his criticism of government policies, including BUDI95, difficult to reconcile with his role as a member of the administration.
“He questioned government policies. He questioned BUDI95, even though he is in the same Cabinet. He was part of the decision-making process,” he said.
Sheikh Umar also said Anwar had the authority to remove Zahid from the Cabinet if the Prime Minister deemed it necessary.
“For me, Zahid should resign, not Anthony Loke.
“Or Anwar could remove Zahid and replace him with another Umno leader. Perhaps Khaled Nordin or Johari Abdul Ghani.
“They are more committed to protecting the reputation of the government and the country. That is Anwar’s power. Anwar can do it,” he said.
